Esperanza is celebrating new milestones, stronger partnerships, and the everyday moments that keep our mission alive. Together, we’re empowering students, families, and neighbors to reach their goals and build a more vibrant Cleveland.
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Explore All that Esperanza Offers!
Esperanza provides free programs that empower students, families, and adult learners to achieve their goals through education, mentorship, and lifelong learning opportunities.
💼 Post-Secondary Initiatives – Providing college students with academic, professional, and financial support to help them persist and graduate.
🌟 Esperanza Youth Leadership Program (EYLP) – Helping middle and high school students grow through leadership development, community service, and academic enrichment.
🎨 STEAM Summer Camp – A six-week summer experience combining creativity, innovation, and fun learning for 5th to 8th graders.
🤝 Mentoring & Academic Support – Connecting students with mentors and providing after-school tutoring to strengthen confidence and achievement.
🎓 Adult Learners Program – Supporting adults with free GED prep, ESL classes, digital literacy training, and more.
🏫 Tri-C Access Center – Located inside Esperanza, this partnership with Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) connects community members with college resources, workforce development programs, and short-term credentials to advance their careers.
📲 Learn more, become a mentor, and sign up for Esperanza’s programs by calling us at 216.651.7178 or visiting esperanzainc.org!
Empowering Futures Together
Esperanza recently welcomed representatives from the Cleveland Foundation for a Tour of Hope!
The Cleveland Foundation has been a long-standing partner and supporter of Esperanza, with their impact reflected across many facets of our work, including helping us welcome one of our newest team members through the Cleveland Foundation Public Service Fellowship program.
As one of the nation’s oldest and most respected community foundations, the Cleveland Foundation continues to champion initiatives that strengthen education, leadership, and opportunity throughout Northeast Ohio.
We look forward to continuing our shared mission of advancing educational attainment and empowering future generations across our community.
🎓 Calling All Esperanza Alumni!
The Esperanza Alumni Association is growing, and we want you to be part of shaping its future. This initiative is designed to reconnect, celebrate, and empower Esperanza’s past scholarship recipients and program participants. Your input will help us create meaningful opportunities for connection, mentorship, professional growth, and service.
Whether you once received a scholarship or participated in an Esperanza program, you are part of our family, and your voice helps us build a lasting legacy for future generations!
Scan the QR code or click here to take the quick 5-minute survey!
The Latino GDP: A Growing Force for America’s Future
A new report from the Center for Economic Research & Forecasting (CERF) at California Lutheran University, in collaboration with the UCLA Latino GDP Project, reveals powerful insights about the U.S. Latino community’s economic and educational impact. The 2025 U.S. Latino GDP Report highlights that if America’s Latino population were its own economy, it would rank fifth largest in the world, larger than the economies of India, the United Kingdom, or France.
Between 2019 and 2023, the U.S. Latino GDP grew faster than any major economy in the world, outpacing China and India. Latinos have become a driving engine of national growth, responsible for over 30% of total U.S. GDP expansion during that period.
This progress is rooted in resilience, work ethic, and an ongoing commitment to education. From 2010 to 2023, Latinos experienced a 125% increase in the number of individuals earning a bachelor’s degree or higher, which is more than triple the rate of non-Latinos, who grew by 40%.
What This Means for Latinos
- The Latino community is not only contributing to economic growth but also transforming the American workforce through education and entrepreneurship.
- Educational gains are translating into higher-wage careers, stronger families, and more stable neighborhoods.
- With growth comes responsibility, ensuring that opportunity, investment, and access are equitable across communities.
What This Means for Esperanza & Cleveland
For Esperanza, this study reinforces what drives our mission every day: education is economic empowerment. As Latinos in Cleveland and across the nation achieve higher education and workforce success, organizations like Esperanza are essential in ensuring that progress is accessible and sustainable.
Cleveland’s Latino community plays a crucial role in this national story. Through all of our programs, Esperanza is preparing the next generation of leaders who will strengthen both our local economy and our city’s future.
The data from the Latino GDP report is more than an economic milestone. It is a testament to the power of education, community, and opportunity.
Esperanza remains proud to be part of this progress, supporting Northeast Ohio’s Latino and multicultural communities, as well as anyone in need of educational opportunity and empowerment. Together, we rise through education and leadership!
📚 Learn more about the full study: www.LatinoGDP.us
Source: Center for Economic Research & Forecasting, California Lutheran University (2025 U.S. Latino GDP Report); U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis; U.S. Census Bureau.
💡Sparking Inspiration at Buhrer and Rhodes!!
The Esperanza Development Team recently visited the Esperanza Youth Leadership Programs (EYLP) at Rhodes School of Environmental Studies and Buhrer Dual Language Academy, where students are building the confidence, skills, and connections to shape their futures.
EYLP focuses on academic support, socio-emotional growth, and leadership development, while also helping students explore real-world career paths. During the Rhodes visit, students participated in a career panel with Dream Opportunity and AT&T, gaining insight into workforce readiness and the many opportunities available in
the tech and communications industry.
A huge thank you to our partners at Rhodes School of Environmental Studies, Dream Opportunity, and AT&T for inspiring our future leaders and reinforcing how education and career exploration go hand in hand.
Special thanks to our guest speakers:
- Tony Costanzo, Director of External and Legislative Affairs, AT&T
- Kristina Rodriguez, Sr. Fiber Project Manager, AT&T
- Odein Karibi-Whyte, Community Engagement Manager, Dream Opportunity
At Buhrer, our Youth Program Coordinator, Johnny Ocasio, leads Esperanza’s Mentoring Program for middle school students, creating a nurturing and supportive environment where youth can strengthen social and communication skills, explore the value of cooperation and leadership, and recognize the importance of education.
Our goal is to offer a safe and open space for students to navigate everyday challenges while gaining the confidence and tools they need to thrive personally and academically.
A special thank-you to Buhrer Dual Language Academy for welcoming our team and supporting Esperanza’s mission to empower the next generation of leaders.
Check out our social media pages to see our team in action and hear directly from students about how much fun they are having in the Esperanza Youth Program!
Tax Season Support Coming Soon!
Esperanza will soon be offering free tax filing assistance for low-income families in our community! Stay tuned for more details on how you can sign up and get help filing your taxes this upcoming season.
Be Part of Democracy in Action!
The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections is now hiring Election Officials for the upcoming November 4th General Election! This is a great opportunity to serve your community, support a fair voting process, and earn $220 for the day.
Interested?
💻 Apply online at boe.cuyahogacounty.gov
📞 Or call 216-443-3277 for more information.
Serve. Earn. Make a difference!
Join us in Empowering Northeast Ohio!
At Esperanza, We Translate to HOPE. Will you be Esperanza too?
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